RECENT MURDERS IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6804, 7 January 1929, Page 7

RECENT MURDERS IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

DUE TO PERSONAL HATRED. REPORT EXONERATES ADMINISTRATOR BELL United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, Jan. 4. Tho report of Lieutenant-Colonel Sit H. Moorhousc upon the Solomon Islands, which is published in the form of a White Paper, states that Tuatakombo and Billyviti were the chief instigators of the murders last year. The fprmer had a bad record. Comparatively rich, he had ambition and became head of the clan. Billy viti supported the Government until he was fined £3 under the adultery regulation, whereupon he joined Tuatakomba's party. The murders were not due to a general hatred of tho Government measures, but to tho personal element. The report pays a tribute to tho administration of the lute Mr. Bell and says that he dealt with the people with great patience and forbearance. In regard to the 198 detainees at Tulagi, Sir H. Moorhousc expresses tho opinion that the administration has been completely exonerated from anv suggestion of callousness or neglect as was implied in the expression: “The Black Hole of Tulagi,” which appeared in one paper abroad. Apart from 16 deaths from dysentry, the health of the detainees had greatly improved since the arrival of Mr. Bell.